Imagine you’re in a new job. Now imagine you are in a very high paying job and are awaiting that first big check. What would you buy with that money? Would you buy something material or would you do the responsible thing and pay a bill? Would you buy something for yourself or would you take care of someone in your family? We thought it’d be fun to find out what some of your favorite celebrities did with their first big paychecks. With her first big showbiz check, Jennifer Lopez bought a Mercedes. Donald Glover bought Gushers, because he wasn’t allowed to have candy as a kid, and Nicole Kidman bought, quote, “The coolest boots I had ever seen in my life.” Let’s take a look at some more celebrities and their “lavish” first check purchases.
America Ferrera: A used 2000 Mitsubishi Mirage for $12,000
“The hardest thing about growing up in L.A. was getting a ride anywhere. I used to have to ride, like, three buses to get to an audition.”
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 28: America Ferrera attends the 23rd Annual NHMC Impact Awards Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 28, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images for National Hispanic Media Coalition )
Donald Glover: Gushers
“I wasn’t allowed to have candy as a kid, so I was like, “I’m ballin’.”
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 24: Donald Grover attends the premiere of the 3rd season of FX’s “Atlanta” at Hollywood Forever on March 24, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)
Kerry Washington: Her first laptop
Kerry says she’d put her money under her bed for “safe keeping.” Then she decided to buy a laptop.
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 06: Newly redesigned MacBook Air laptops are seen displayed during the WWDC22 at Apple Park on June 06, 2022 in Cupertino, California. Apple CEO Tim Cook kicked off the annual WWDC22 developer conference. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Jennifer Lopez: A Mercedes
“I was driving a Honda hatchback that Keenen Ivory Wayans had given me when I was a Fly Girl, and I had been driving it to every audition and everything. And when I got a regular series, I bought a car. I bought a Mercedes.”
LONDON – FEBRUARY 26: Actress Jennifer Lopez sits in a car after leaving Mezzo restaurant February 26, 2003 in London, England. (Photo by Bruno Vincent/Getty Images)
Nicole Kidman: "Quote, "The coolest boots I had ever seen in my life."
She also got her mom and dad a washing machine.
BURBANK, CA – DECEMBER 5: Actress Nicole Kidman appears on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” at the NBC Studios on December 5, 2003 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Tiffany Haddish: A big box of Snickers and lollipops, Jolly Rancher sticks, Blow Pops, and Corn Nuts.
Her first check was $120.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 23: Tiffany Haddish attends the “Tuca & Bertie” photo op during 2022 Comic-Con International: San Diego at Hilton Bayfront on July 23, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Brad Pitt: A period Craftsman chair and a Frank Lloyd Wright–wannabe lamp.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 19: Brad Pitt, winner Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,’ poses in the press room during the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 19, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 721430 (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images for Turner)
Tom Cruise: His sister's college tuition.
Then with his next check, he bought his other sister a car.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 10: Tom Cruise attends the European premiere of “Rock Of Ages” at Odeon Leicester Square on June 10, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)
Rami Malek: A personal espresso machine.
He told GQ
“I ended up spending that paycheck on my own personal espresso machine. I think I figured that shit out.”
BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 04: A barista prepares coffee from an Italian espresso machine at Bonanza Coffee cafe in Prenzlauer Berg district on May 4, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin is among Europe’s most popular urban tourist destinations and the city offers a rich cafe and coffee culture. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Lil Nas X took his family bowling.
“Like, everybody. It was a lot of us, not just my immediate family.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 14: Lil Nas X visits the SiriusXM Studios on September 14, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Brie Larson: A blue electric guitar.
Telling GQ: “The first real purchase that I recall was a blue electric guitar.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 02: Brie Larson attends the 2019 LACMA 2019 Art + Film Gala Presented By Gucci on November 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Ariel Winter: shoes
“I think I bought some serious shoes. I bought a lot of shoes. I love shoes.”
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – AUGUST 28: Ariel Winter attends Variety’s annual Power of Young Hollywood at Sunset Tower Hotel on August 28, 2018 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Ashley Graham: A personal trainer
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 06: Model Ashley Graham attends the NYFW Kickoff Party, A Celebration Of Personal Style, hosted by E!, ELLE & IMG and sponsored by TRESEMME, on September 6, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for NBCUniversal)
Kelly Rowland: Groceries
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 14: Singer Kelly Rowland attends the David Jones S/S 2012/13 Season Launch at David Jones Castlereagh Street on August 14, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
